Known for his proficiency with both Eastern and Western artistic traditions, and his ability to employ both simultaneously within his work, Zao Wou-Ki has become an important figure in mid-century art historical canon. Born Zhao Wou-Ki (assuming the name Zao after 1947) in 1920 in Peking (now Beijing), Wou-Ki attending the National School of Arts, Hangchow, for six years before becoming a drawing instructor there. In 1947, the artist moved to Paris where he would become friends with the artists Alberto Giacometti and Joan Miró. His work, done in an abstract, gestural style quickly drew acclaim, and ultimately worked to help reestablish abstraction during a time when critics were beginning to question whether the style could appropriately express the harsh realities and emotions of the post-war world. Alongside others associated with the École de Paris, Zao began painting in an even bolder fashion, employing highly saturated color and intense lines in his compositions; by the mid-1950s the influence of Chinese calligraphy became more pronounced, and the artist occasionally omitted Western styles of painting for actual calligraphy. It was at this time that Zao was regularly making trips to New York City, where he met several of the Abstract Expressionists such as Barnett Newman and Franz Kline. By the 1970s, line and gesture receded from his work, replaced by hazy, surreal compositions with a blurred sense of space. Although Zao is most commonly known as a painter, he often collaborated with other and created performance stage sets, illustrated books of poetry, and numerous prints and engravings. Zao died in Switzerland at the age of 93 in 2013. Zao’s prolonged association with the leading artists of his time, in conjunction with his highly unique employment of both Eastern and Western artistic traditions, has contributed to his work becoming increasingly sought after. His works are in the collections of the Fogg Museum, Boston, the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, New York and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. According to Sotheby’s Mei Moses, the average compound annual return for Zao Wou-ki is 20.1%, with 95.5% of works increasing in value.

Zao Wou-Ki

Untitled No. 127, by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Zao+Wou-ki&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zao Wou-ki</a>, 1960.<ul><li>Zao Wou-ki&nbsp;(Chinese, 1921-2013).</li><li>Lithograph in colors on Wove paper.</li><li>Hand-signed, numbered, and dated.</li><li>Edition 121/140.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This original lithograph in colors is hand signed in pencil by the artist in Chinese and Pinyin at the lower right margin and dated in pencil next to the signature '60’ [1960]. It is also hand numbered from the edition of 140, at the lower left margin. This work was printed by E. et J. Desjobert, Paris in 1960 and published by L'Oeuvre Gravée, Zurich in the same year. Please note: This item is excluded from complimentary shipping. Shipping quote will be calculated following purchase.

Untitled No. 127

Composition I, from Rambles [Randonnées], by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Zao+Wou-Ki&amp;pfilters.dateRange=past" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zao Wou-Ki</a>, 1974.<ul><li>Zao Wou-Ki (Chinese, 1921-2013).</li><li>Printed by Atelier Bellini, Paris and published by Yves Rivière, Paris in 1974.</li><li>Etching and aquatint in colors on Japan Nacré paper.</li><li>Hand-signed, numbered, and dated.</li><li>Part of an edition of 14, plus a standard edition of 125.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This etching and aquatint in colors is hand signed in pencil by the artist ""Zao Wou-Ki"" in Chinese and Pinyin at the lower right margin. It is also dated “74” [1974] next to the signature. It is also hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 14, at the lower left margin. This impression is from a deluxe suite of 14 on Japan paper aside from the standard edition of 125 on Rives paper. It was printed by Atelier Bellini, Paris and published by Yves Rivière, Paris in 1974. There were also three artist’s proofs and 4 hors commerce [out of trade] impressions on Japan paper. This composition is the first of five created for the book Randonnées [Rambles] written by Roger Caillois. Please note: This item is excluded from complimentary shipping. Shipping quote will be calculated at time of purchase.

Composition I, from Rambles | Randonnées

La Fôret Perdue [The Lost Forest], <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Zao+Wou-Ki&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zao Wou-Ki</a>, 1955.<ul><li>Zao Wou-Ki (Chinese, 1921-2013).</li><li>Lithograph in colors on Rives Woves paper.</li><li>Hand-signed and numbered.</li><li>Edition 33/125.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This original lithograph in colors is hand signed in pencil in Chinese and Pinyin at the lower right margin. It is also dated in pencil next to the signature '55 [1955]. It is hand numbered in pencil from the edition of 125, at the lower left margin. There were also 20 artist’s proofs. It was printed by E. and J. Desjobert, Paris in 1955 and published by l'Oeuvre Graveé, Zurich in a limited edition of 125 hand signed and numbered impressions. Please note: This item is excluded from complimentary shipping. Shipping quote will be calculated following purchase.

The Lost Forest | La Fôret Perdue

Etching No. 135, by <a href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/search?query=Zao+Wou-Ki&amp;pfilters.dateRange=upcoming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zao Wou-Ki</a>, 1986.<ul><li>Zao Wou-Ki (Chinese 1921-2013).</li><li>Etching and aquatint in Colors on Guarro Wove Paper.</li><li>Hand-signed and numbered.</li><li>Part of an edition of 99.</li><li>This work is presented unframed.</li></ul> This original etching and aquatint in colors is hand signed in pencil by the artist in Chinese and Pinyin at the lower right margin,&nbsp;and dated in pencil next to the signature '86 [1986].&nbsp;It is also hand numbered from the edition of 99, at the lower left margin.&nbsp; This work was published by Polígrafa, Barcelona in 1986 in a limited edition of 99 hand signed and numbered impressions. There were a further 15 artist proofs. The paper bears the Guarro watermark. Please note: This item is excluded from complimentary shipping. Shipping quote will be calculated following purchase.

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